Bifurcated medical device for treating a target site and associated method

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide medical devices and methods for treating a target site within the body. For example, one embodiment provides a stent graft for treating a target site proximate to a bifurcated lumen, wherein the stent graft includes a first tubular structure having proximal and distal ends and a side wall extending therebetween. The first tubular structure includes an opening defined within the side wall and is configured to define a first portion having first and second ends and a second portion having first and second ends. The opening corresponds to the first ends of the first and second portions and the second ends of the first and second portions respectively correspond to the proximal and distal ends of the first tubular structure, and at least a portion of the first and second portions are configured to be positioned within respective branches of a bifurcated lumen.

That which is claimed: 
     
       1. A method for fabricating a stent graft comprising:
 braiding a first tubular structure about a mandrel, the first tubular structure having a proximal end, and a distal end, and a sidewall extending therebetween; 
 shaping the first tubular structure so as to form first and second portions each having first and second ends, wherein at least a portion of the first and second portions are configured to extend within respective braches of a bifurcated lumen; 
 defining an opening within the sidewall, wherein the opening is configured to correspond to the first ends of the first and second portions; and 
 heat setting the first tubular structure. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein braiding comprises braiding a plurality of strands into at least one layer. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first tubular structure comprises a corrugated surface. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein shaping comprises folding the first tubular structure along the opening. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein folding comprises folding the first tubular structure along the opening to define a hinge. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein defining comprises forming a cut partially about the circumference of the first tubular structure, and wherein shaping comprises folding the first tubular structure along the cut. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein defining comprises forming a cut partially about a circumference of the first tubular structure and within a bulbous portion positioned between the proximal end and the distal end of the first tubular structure. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 2 , wherein defining comprises displacing braided strands of the first tubular structure to define the opening. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein displacing braided strands of the first tubular structure defines the opening approximately midway between the proximal end and the distal end of the first tubular structure. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein heat setting comprises heat setting the first tubular structure about a pair of D-shaped pins to define the opening. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein shaping comprises shaping the first tubular structure along the opening such that the first and second portions comprise respective lumens extending between proximal and distal ends of the first and second portions that are not in fluid communication with one another. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 coating the first tubular structure with a thrombogenic agent. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 filling the first tubular structure with a polyester fiber. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 attaching a radiopaque marker to at least one of the first end of the first portion and the first end of the second portion. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 attaching one or more hooks to the first tubular structure for facilitating fixation of the first tubular structure to the bifurcated lumen. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 braiding a second tubular structure on a mandrel, the second tubular structure comprising a proximal end and a distal end and lumen extending therebetween. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 defining a pair of openings in the second tubular structure configured to receive the first tubular structure and align the lumen of the second tubular structure with the opening defined in the first tubular structure. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein defining the pair of openings comprises clamping the proximal end of the second tubular structure to define the pair of openings.